Try This, Cellar That - BC Meritage

BC's Meritage blends come in many different styles; from easy-going sippers to cellar-dwelling trophy wines and everything in-between. Here are two options from the same vintage and geographical area, the Black Sage Bench in the Southern Okanagan; one for now, one for later.

Try This...

TIME Estate Winery 2012 Meritage Red - $30
The Time Estate Meriatge is a Right Bank inspired blend of 60% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet Franc with intense, blue-fruit purée aromas supported by dry herbs, mocha and warm oak notes. Still an early-to-mid-range drinker to enjoy while your other blends incubate. Drink now-2018.
Icon Score






Cellar That...

Black Hills Estate Winery 2012 Nota Bene - $55
Nota Bene has been a Cabernet Sauvignon-leading blend for the past 11 vintages, but, for 2012, the winery has switched back to a Merlot-driven Meritage blend, similar to the inaugural release of 1999. The latest edition sees a whopping 57% Merlot mixed with 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc and despite the changes, the 2012 offers good typicity for the iconic brand suggesting the vineyard site is the most dominant influence over the finished wine and not the finite percentages of the main components. Drink 2017-2022
Icon Score

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Try This, Cellar That - BC Merlot

Our Try This, Cellar That series returns with a focus on BC Merlot:

Try This...

Bartier Bros. 2011 Merlot - $22-27
This tasty, blackberry pie-infused wine is actually a blend of 86% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc, the later of which, is mostly perceptible on the nose where floral notes are a welcomed addition to the otherwise, berry and wild herb bouquet. The palate is quite full and smooth, with medium tannins and a gentle roundness to its texture. Ready to go now and currently on sale in BC (June 2015).
Icon Score





Cellar That...

LaStella 2012 Maestoso "Solo" Merlot - $100
True to its impressive lineage, the 2012 Maestoso represents the peak of Merlot production in the Okanagan Valley. Elegant, layered and supremely complex. Look for dark berry, sweet plum, toasted oak, dark chocolate, fresh herbs, mocha, vanilla toffee, menthol and warm spice aromas followed by a medley of similar flavours on the ultra-dry palate with a strong focus on the juxtaposition of the berry and savoury characters. With several hours of decanting you can enjoy this wine today, though, 2-3 more years of bottle age would maximize your investment.
Icon Score
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

BC Wine Deal: June 10th, 2015

The following VQA wines have been reduced in price at your local participating VQA and BCLDB stores. 

Arrowleaf Pinot Gris was $17.85 is now $16.95
Arrowleaf First Crush Rose was $14.95 is now $12.95
Arrowleaf First Crush White was $14.95 is now $12.95
Bartier Bros. Merlot was $26.99 is now $21.99
Bartier Scholefield Rose was $18.90 is now $15.90
Black Hills Cellar Hand Free Run White was $16.99 is now $15.99
Calona Cabernet Merlot was $14.99 is now $12.99
Cassini Cab/Merlot was $18.90 is now $16.90
Cassini Merlot was $18.90 is now $16.90
Cassini Sauvignon Blanc was $17.90 is now $15.90
Cedar Creek Chardonnay was $19.95 is now $18.95
Chaberton Pinot Gris was $17.95 is now $16.95
Crowsnest Chardonnay Reserve was $17.80 is now $16.90
D'Angelo Setta Coppa was $24.90 is now $19.99
Daydreamer Pinot Gris was $22.00 is now $20.00
Daydreamer Rose was $22.00 is now $18.50
Desert Hills D Minor White was $14.90 is now $13.90
Ex Nihilo Night was $42.00 is now $36.00
Fort Berens Meritage was $28.99 is now $26.99
Gehringer Cabernet Franc Late Harvest 375ml. was $17.99 is now $16.99
Gehringer Brothers Riesling Private Reserve was $15.05 is now $13.90
Gray Monk Odyssey Meritage White was $23.99 is now $18.99
Hester Creek Merlot was $18.95 is now $17.95
La Stella Leggiero Chardonnay was $24.98 is now $21.90
Meyer Pinot Noir was $26.90 is now $24.90
Mt.Boucherie Gamay Noir was $15.90 is now $13.90
Mt.Boucherie Gewurztraminer was $17.00 is now $15.00
Mt.Boucherie Riesling was $16.00 is now $15.00
Moon Curser Merlot was $24.90 is now $19.90
Noble Ridge Pinot Grigio was $19.99 is now $18.99
Noble Ridge Pinot Grigio was $18.99 is now $16.99
Prospect Merlot Cabernet was $14.99 is now $13.49
Prospect Pinot Blanc was $13.99 is now $12.49
Robin Ridge Chardonnay 375ml was $16.90 is now $15.90
Robin Ridge Merlot was $24.85 is now $19.90
Robin Ridge Pinot Noir was $22.85 is now $19.90
Robin Ridge The Big Bird was $31.90 is now $24.90
Sage Hill Gewürztraminer was $28.85 is now $27.90
Sage Hill Rose was $28.85 is now $27.90
Sandhill Cabernet Merlot was $19.99 is now $18.99
Sandhill Merlot was $20.99 is now $19.99
Sandhill Pinot Gris was $18.99 is now $16.59
Sandhill Sauvignon Blanc was $17.99 is now $15.69
Time Estate Sundial White was $19.99 is now $17.50

Monthly Picks: June'15 - Rosé

With Summer around the corner and Spring cleaning wrapping-up, our patios and decks are getting ready to be occupied once more. It's rosé season! This month's picks are dedicated to the many fine blush wines produced in BC and already on the market waiting to be taken home to the sunny, outdoor space of your choosing.

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2014 Pinot Noir Rosé - $16
There's the usual mix of sweet red fruit and tart cranberry aromas and flavours, but there's also nice sage-y, earthy layer on the appealing nose and a steely, mineral layer on the crisp palate. Not completely dry this year, though, the finish is long and refreshing.
Icon Score

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2014 Rosé - $18
A blend of  80% Gamy Noir, 10% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Gris offering a fresh, aromatic nose of Spring flowers, strawberry, watermelon, citrus peel and peppercorn seeds. Flavours of delicate red fruit, minerals and sweet citrus with bring a smile to your face.
Icon Score

SpierHead Winery 2014 Pinot Noir Rosé - $18
Produced as a dry alternative to the many off-dry blush wines on the market in BC and one to pair with spicy, Spanish tapas which will highlight the cooling effect of the crisp, citrus acidity and the bright, red fruit and mineral flavours on offer.
Icon Score

LaStella Winery 2014 LaStellina Rosato - $20
An off-dry, fruity and cheerful rosé made from a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Sangiovese grapes focusing on a discourse between juicy, red fruit and crisp tropical fruit characters (the juicy fruit wins the debate).
Icon Score

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2014 Oldfield Series Rosé - $20
Though consistently good over the years, this year's Oldfield Series rosé is a notch above the others and delivers memorable balance between its delicate, Provence inspired, aromas and flavours and the acid and mineral counterbalance that resolves the sweetness into a dry, mouth-watering finish.
Icon Score

Le Vieux Pin 2014 Vaila - $22
A lovely, aromatic and zesty rosé produced from a blend of 100% Pinot Noir that opens with an exotic mix of kiwi, rhubarb, cranberry, raspberry seed and alpine strawberry aromas followed by a vibrant, mouth watering palate with similar flavours, added citrus and mineral notes and a touch of body that lasts through the long finish.
Icon Score

Bench 1775 Winery 2014 Glow Rosé - $23
This light-salmon hued rosé focuses on a Provenciale-like balance between lightly, off-dry red fruit characters, crisp, tropical acidity and delicate herb and mineral notes. Very food friendly and refreshing.
Icon Score

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca